Epidemiology and Factors for Incompliance

A) Problem Statement

More than 50% of recently diagnosed patients with coronary artery disease are reluctant not only to change their lifestyle and unhealthy behaviors but also to adhere to their prescribed therapies, and this has important implications for morbidity, mortality and healthcare spending.

B) Research That Informs Problem Statement

1. Background Information On Coronary Artery Disease

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, which occurs when the inner walls of arteries in the heart become blocked up by plaque leading to reduced blood supply to the heart. This can ultimately cause complications including angina (chest pain) if the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen or heart attacks if the heart doesn’t get any oxygen at all.

Despite the fact that there is no cure for CAD, there are many treatment possibilities including medications, surgery and lifestyle changes that can slow down the disease progression and improve patients’ morbidity and mortality. Based on Statistics Canada, cardiovascular disease, which affects 1.3 million Canadians, is considered the leading cause of death and hospitalizations in Canada. In 2008 cardiovascular disease accounted for 29% of all deaths in Canada and out of all these deaths, 77% were due to CAD. According to the Conference Board of Canada, in 2010 the economic burden of cardiovascular diseases was estimated to be $20.9 billion in total direct and indirect costs.

2. Epidemiology And Factors For Incompliance

The World Health Organization defines the adherence to treatment as “the extent to which an individual’s behavior regarding a medical treatment regimen corresponds with the agreed-upon recommendations of a healthcare